Reverse rotation multi-position selector switch



Jan. 24, 1961 A. E. SHOWALTER REVERSE ROTATION MULTI-POSITION SELECTOR SWITCH Filed Dec. 29. 1959 Hall INVENTOR ALBERT E. SHOWALTEF? ATTORNEY Unite REVERSE ROTATION MULTI-POSITION SELECTOR SWITCH .Albert E. Showalter, Allentown, Md., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Dec. 29, 1959, Ser. No. 862,728

Claims. (Cl. 200-65) (Granted under Title 35, US. Code (1952), see. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the pay- 7 ment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

The present invention relates to selector switches and -more particularly to rotary selector switches capable of "counterclockwise as well as clockwise selection of posi- -tion.

The prior art discloses a number of switches for rotary selection of circuits but few if any that are capable of selection by either clockwise or counterclockwise rotation and fewer that can be rotated continually in either direction. Most prior art devices for rotary selection of circuits accomplish selection by operation of an outer dial which is coaxially connected with switching mechanisms remote from the dial. The dial and the remote switching mechanisms are in parallel planes and occupy an excessive amount of space in relation to that required to accomplish the purpose intended. The prior art switches are diflicult to manipulate by hand and their comparatively large size is especially undesirable in receivers, transmitters, power supplies, etc. or wherever the size of the control panel is an important consideration. The complexity of instrumentation becomes more serious -in miniaturized equipment such as a transistorized communication receiver where the number of controls and circuits is generally unchanged but the space available for placement thereof is greatly reduced.

pact apparatus of relatively simple construction that is easily manipulated.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method by which a selected angle of rotation of a switch is obtained, by which rotary force is applied to obtain the angle of rotation and is released upon having travelled the desired angle, and by which illumination 1 of the selected position is provided for quick apprisal of the operator.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the illustrated embodiment of the invention, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in connection with the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of particular elements of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

States Patetif O F 2,969,441 Patented Jan. 24, 1961 Referring to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, housing 11 is generally U-shaped with its opposite faces cored at 12 and 13 to receive insulator l4 and shaft 15, respectively. Housing 11 is grooved at 18 and 19 to accommodate movement of a spring 20 and a crossarm 21, respectively, both of which are shown in greater detail in Fig. 2, and is cut out at 22 to accommodate movement therethrough of the periphery of cylinder 23. Connected together axially across housing 11 from openings 12 and 13 are collar 25, rotatable cylinder 23, collar 26 and shaft 15. Cylinder 23 has a flange 27 to which .is attached gear 28 and a flange 29 to which are attached electrical contacts 30 and 31. Attached to housing 11 and positioned symmetrically about collar 25 is a rigid ring 32 of non-conductive material on which is mounted a plurality of electrical contacts 33. Around the inner surface of ring 32 opposite flange 29 is attached a conductive ring 36 which is spaced a sufficient distance from the adjacent portions of contacts 33 to be electrically isolated therefrom. Electrical contact 31 is in continuous contact with conductive ring 36 while electrical contact 30 is in contact singly with one of the plurality of contacts 33. Collar 25 is of suflicient inner diameter to accommodate an electric light bulb 37 which is held in place by removable insulator 14 with the latter secured in position in conventional manner such as by lugs rotated in confining grooves. Bulb 37 is energized by completing a circuit from a conventional power source such as a dry cell battery or a standard AC. power supply through conductive core 38 of insulator 14 and the filament of bulb 37, through the base of the bulb to contact 31, and through that contact to conductive ring 36 which is connected either to ground or to the remaining battery terminal.

A detent mechanism such as a spring-loaded ball 40, having a size to extend substantially between the teeth: of gear 28, is rotatable in a socket in fitting 41 which is. attached to housing 11. On the side of cylinder 23 opposite to gear 28 is connected a ratchet 42 in the form of a notched disc the notches of which are positioned substantially opposite respective spaces between the teeth of gear 28. Collar 43 is fixedly attached to shaft 15 and positions rotatable cam 44 a desired distance from ratchet 42.

Referring now to Fig. 2 wherein the elements described are shown more in detail than in Fig. 1 and at the extreme clockwise position, cam 44 has two substantially opposite radial projections one of which has crossarm 45 extending axially therefrom toward ratchet 42 for engagement with one of the notches thereon, and the other has crossarm 21 extending axially toward and through housing 11 in groove 19. Cam 44 is slotted in its midportion as indicated at 46 to permit limited radial movement transverse to the axis of shaft 15. Lever arm 47 pivots at one end about shaft 15 and extends through the housing where knob 48 is attached to the other end. The lever arm is slotted radially as indicated at 49 to permit passage therethrough of crossarm 21 and has arcuate extensions 52 at the end of one of which is attached post 53. A spring 54 is attached to post 53 and extended to engage crossarm 21 so as to exert return pres sure against the crossarm. Two lugs 55 extend from the arcuate portions of lever arm 47 to engage respective extensions of spring 20, which extensions are restricted to movement within groove 18. Spring 20 is wound around shaft 15 to provide axial pressure against lever arm 47 as well as peripheral pressure against lugs 55. The periphery of cylinder 23 is shaped into twelveequal surfaces each of which has similarly shaped nameplates "56 attached thereto, "however, it is understood that the periphery of the cylinder may be shaped in a variety or ways and that surface divisions may or may not be of the same dimensions or configuration. Of course, the notches around the periphery of ratchet 42 and the positioning of fixed contacts 33 should correspond to the ffacetappearingin opening '22 to indicate the particular "contact established.

Selection of a'rparticular circuit is accomplished through operation of lever arm'47'one position at a time ineither direction by rotating the lever arm in the desired direction. The rotation of the lever arm, as explained hereinafter, causes a corresponding rotation of cylinder 23 and of movable contact 30. Fixed contacts 33 are posi- "tioned concentric with shaft 15 and spaced a selected "number of degrees apart such that contact is established between the movable contact and the particular'fixed con- "tactcorrespondin'g to the nameplate appearing-in the cut :out portion .of housing 11 indicated "at 45. Groove '19 has fa'curved center portion and sloped ends which operate to -"disengage crossarm 45 froma respective notch inratchet 42 by forcing "crossarm '21 toward, and therefore crossarm'45 away from, the axis ofshaft'15.

To followthe sequence of motiontransfer, operation "of the device will be described commencing with lever arm 47 in the centeror rest position whereincrossarm 45 'is inserted in one of the notches in ratchet 42 bytension of spring 54 and spring-loaded ball 40 is inserted in the socket between teeth of gear 28 corresponding to the notch occupied'by crossarm 45. Clockwise, or counterclockwise, rotation of lever arm 47 will impart rotation to cam 44 through crossarm 21 the latterhaving force exerted against it by the respective'side 'ofslot 49 in lever arm 47. Cross arm 21 of cam 44 will impart the rotary motion to ratchet 42, cylinder 23, gear'28 and electrical contacts 3,0 and 31, and spring-loaded ball 40 will be forced from its socket between teeth by movement of .gear 28. Upon rotation of cam 44 substantially twentyfive degrees, in the present embodiment, crossarm 21 will .be moved first concentric with and then forced radially toward theaxis of shaft 15. Crossarm 45 will be moved :first' concentric with and then forced radially away from that axis a distance sufficient for crossarm 45 to clear the periphery of ratchet 42. It is understood that the center of cam 44 is slotted to both rotate about shaft 15 and move transverse to the axis thereof a predetermined distance. The teeth of gear 28 and thesize and position of spring-loaded ball40 are selected to have ball 40 on a slope into one of the two adjacent sockets relative to its wrest position upon the substantially twenty-five degree rotation either clockwise or counter-clockwise of cam 42. When crossarm-45 is lifted clear-of a notch on. ratchet 42,

-- rotary force is continuedto be applied to cylinder 23 and :connecting members by the spring of spring-loaded ball 40 through the ball forcing it into an adjacent tooth socket and rotating the cylinder an additional five degrees mak .ing the total rotation'from'one socket to the next thirty degrees. Lever arm 47 is spring-loadedby spring20 .Jso that upon crossarm 45 being moved clear of the periphery of ratchet 42 the lever arm will be forced toward 'the center or rest positon upon release of pressure thereon. Spring-loaded ball .40 will already have locked the cylinzder, ratchet, etc. in the center or rest position when the lever arm is returned to that positon so that crossarm 45 will be forced into anotchadjacent to its former notch by spring 54 upon return of the crossarm to the center :or rest position. That is,'rotation of the lever arm from the center position will move an adjacent notch and a corresponding gear socket toward that position, and the vspring-loaded ball detent will holdthe cylinder by being forced into the adjacent socket after which crossarm' 45 is returned to center or rest uponrelease of pressure on lever arm 47. The two branches ofspring 20 press out- --ward from the center position-andabut against respective extremities of groove 18. One of the branches of spring 48 is contacted by a respective one of the two lugs 55 symmetrically positioned on lever arm 47, i.e. through clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the lever arm, and the branch contacted is compressed by further rotation of the lever arm so that upon release of pressure spring 20 will return lever arm 47 to the center position.

It is noted that although slot 46 is shown in Fig. 2 to aid in describing the operation of the switch, it is not of sufficient length to'be visible beyond lever arm '47 and, in fact, need be onlyiso longas to provide sufficient space for crossarm 45 to clear the periphery of ratchet 42. .It

is also noted that lever arm 47 is shown in Fig. 2 at'the .only those contacts and facets nearest the viewer -are included to omit non-essential details.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, current in the circuit to be energized flows through one lead to fixed contacts 33'and from there through movable contact 30 to conductivering 34 from where connection is made either to ground or to the remaining battery terminal in conventional manner. The circuits connected to afixed contacts 33 are identified on corresponding name- 'plates 56'such that the patricular circuit to which movable contact 30 is connected through a respective fixed contact is indicated'by the nameplate appearing in the 'cen- '"ter oft the cutfout' portion of housing'll indicated at 22. Cylinder 23 :is :preferably of clear plastic orta similar material'to diffuse light from bulb 37 to the *nameplates :thereby illuminating the periphery of the cylinder and permitting quick identification ofthe circuit connected. It'will be'appreciated that although the composition of some of the elements of the illustrated embodiment has been specified, it is possible'for the embodiment to x'be constructed and to operate with elements composed of material'other than that stated. For example, the cylinder has been-stated as composed of clear plastic yet a "metal cage or'frame, or a plastic cage or frame of sufficientstrength tofunction as a solid cylindergwould be an adequate replacement forthe clear plastic cylinder specified. Also, the interaction of the lever arm,'cam 'and'ratchet may be accomplished other than as shown and described, such 'as byuse of'aratchet in the form of a washer notched around its inner diameter and having '-'a crossarmdisengage axially toward the axis of the shaft,

within the'concept of this invention. Crossarm 21 need 'not extend through housing 11, it being possible 'to accomplishdisengagement of crossarrn 45 from the notches .in ratchet 42 'by othermeans such as a template attached to the innersurface of housing 11 and positioned so "as to provide a bearing surface that will cause desired movement'of cross arm '45 with respect to gear 28 and springloaded ball 40. Cross arm 45 need only extend toward ratchet 42. the opposite extension toward housing 11,

shown in Fig.4, merely limiting the distance the crossarmmay be forced away from the ratchet upon the crossarm being forced outof a notch and along the periphery of the ratchet.

It will be'un'derstood that a primary advantage of the f present invention'is the inclusion of a number of selec- '-tive' positions, and the indication thereof, in a relatively small space with switching provided by clockwise or counterclockwise rotation through consecutive switch positions. Separate functions in electrical or electronic equipment canbe sampled, 'and return to a previously sampled function accomplished, through simple and rapid operation of a single lever arm. Each function selected is indicated and illuminated at the lever arm so that a person unfamiliar with the circuits involved may nevertheless operate the selector and provide connection to the desired circuits. The complexity of control panels can be reduced through use of the invention without loss in the number of functions available or in selection among functions.

' .Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible pursuant to the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that its practice is not to be limited by the specific examples in the foregoing description and that this invention is only to be limited by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A reversible rotary switch having a plurality of selective positions comprising a housing and a shaft rotatably mounted thereon, a plurality of fixed contacts disposed on said housing around said shaft equal in number to said plurality of selective positions, a rotatable contact mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith disposed to engage successively said fixed contacts as said shaft is rotated, indicating means mounted on said shaft for indicating the angular position of said shaft with respect to a selected stationary point, and rotating means for rotating said shaft, said rotating means including at least a first motion transfer means and a second motion transfer means for transferring motion to said shaft, said first motion transfer means having an elongated shape and rotatably mounted at one end thereof on said shaft, said second motion transfer means having means attached thereto to engage said first motion transfer means and said housing to control rotation of said shaft to a selected number of degrees with respect to said stationary point.

2. A reversible rotary switch having a plurality of selective positions comprising a housing and a shaft rotatably mounted thereon, a plurality of fixed contacts disposed on said housing around said shaft equal in number to said plurality of selective positions, a rotatable contact mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith disposed to engage successively said fixed contacts as said shaft is rotated, indicating means mounted on said shaft for indicating the angular position of said shaft with respect to a selected stationary point, rotating means for rotating said shaft, said rotating means including an operating arm and first motion transfer means and second motion transfer means for translating motion of said operating arm to rotation of said shaft, said first motion transfer means having means for transferring motion to said second motion transfer means, said second motion transfer means including first engaging means for receiving motion of said first motion transfer means and second engaging means for transferring motion to said indicating means, said indicating means having receiving means attached thereto with openings for insertion and removal of said second engaging means to rotate said indicating means a selected number of degrees with respect to said stationary point, and means for returning said first motion transfer means and said second motion transfer means to a rest position with respect to said stationary point upon release of pressure on said operating arm.

3. The device claimed in claim 1 and detent means housing and detent receiving means attached to said attached to said shaft for holding said shaft fixed in selected positions relative to said stationary point.

4. The device claimed in claim 1 wherein said shaft includes a first end of rigid material and a second end of hollow rigid material, said indicating means of rigid translucent material adapted for coaxial attachment between said first end and said second end of said shaft, and illuminating means adapted for insertion into said second end of hollow rigid material to illuminate said indicating means.

5. The device claimed in claim 2 and detent means attached to said housing and detent receiving means attached to said shaft for holding said shaft fixed in selected positions relative to said stationary point.

6. The device claimed in claim 2 wherein said shaft includes a first end of rigid material and a second endof hollow rigid material, said indicating means of rigid translucent material adapted for coaxial attachment between said first end and said second end of said shaft, and illuminating means adapted for insertion into said second end of hollow rigid material to illuminate said indicating means.

7. A reversible rotary switch having a plurality of selective positions comprising a housing and a shaft rotatably mounted thereon, a plurality of fixed contacts disposed on said housing around said shaft equal in number to said plurality of selective positions, a rotatable contact mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith disposed to engage successively said fixed contacts as said shaft is rotated, indicating means mounted on said shaft for indicating the angular position of said shaft with respect to a selected stationary point, rotating means for rotating said shaft, said rotating means including a lever arm rotatable at one end about said shaft and a cam rotatable in its center portion about said shaft, motion transfer means for transferring motion from said lever arm to said cam, and engaging means extending from said cam to said indicating means for transferring a selected number of degrees of arcuate motion of said cam to said indicating means, said lever arm including disengaging means for disengaging said engaging means from said indicating means after said indicating means has been rotated through a selected number of degrees with respect to said stationary point.

8. The device claimed in claim 2 wherein said housing has an opening through which said operating arm is extended and an opening through which a selected portion of the periphery of said indicating means may be viewed, and guide means included in said housing for guiding said first engaging means such that said second engaging means will be removed from and inserted into respective openings in said receiving means.

9. The device claimed in claim 8 wherein said guide means is a groove in said housing through which said first engaging means is extended, said groove having a circular center portion concentric with said shaft and end portions approaching said shaft.

10. A rotary switch having a plurality of selective positions and capable of clockwise and counterclockwise selection of position comprising a U-shaped housing, a shaft having first and second ends rotatably mounted in said housing, a cylinder disposed symmetrically about said shaft and mounted thereon between said first end and said second end, said cylinder having its axial periphery divided into a plurality of equal divisions of the same number as said plurality of selective positions, detent means attached to said housing, detent receiving means attached to said shaft and disposed to engage said detent means and to stop rotation of said shaft at selected positions relative to said housing, rotating means for:rotating said cylinder, said rotating means including a disc, a slidable cam and a lever arm, said disc having a plurality of notched positions and attached to said shaft adjacent to said cylinder, said notched positions spaced around the circumference of said disc one each axially with respect to each of said divisions of said cylinder, said slidable cam having a slotted center portion to rotate about said shaft and slide perpendicular to the axis thereof, said slidable cam having a first extension and a second extension extending substantially radially from said shaft in substantially opposite directions, said first extension having a first cross-arm attached thereto extending axially to and engaging a respective one of said notched positions, said lever arm disposed to rotate about said shaft and having a radial slot therethrough, said second extension having a second crossarm attached thereto extending axially in a direction opposite to the direction of extension of said first erossarm, through References Cited in the file-of this patent said slot in said lever arm and through said housing, a UNITED STATES PATENTS curvilinear surface in said housing disposed to limit e 17 722 Johnson 'De c. 24 1957 peripheral motion of said second crossarm upon rotation thereof and to move said second crossarm to a lesser 5 2,916,569 Facklel' D6613, 1959 distance from said shaft upon further rotation of said FOREIGN PATENTS second crossarm, said second crossarm disposed to im- 582 687 Great Britain Nov 25 1946 part rotary motion of said lever arm to said slidable cam. 

